Tooth Pain Relief Kirkwood, MO
Tooth pain relief in Kirkwood, MO. Tooth pain is a common symptom for a variety of conditions. It can be dull and mostly just a nuisance, or severely painful and debilitating. If you’re experiencing consistent toothaches, or suddenly feel severe tooth pain right away, seek medical treatment from a qualified Kirkwood, MO dentist as soon as possible. Even when not severe, tooth pain can indicate other dental problems that will worsen if not treated promptly. If you’re in need of tooth pain relief in Kirkwood, MO, call Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.
Top 9 Conditions That Cause Tooth Pain | Kirkwood, MO Dental Center
Tooth pain can be owed to countless dental problems, some more serious than others. Below are the top 9 most common ailments a dentist in Kirkwood, MO can offer tooth pain relief for:
- Teeth grinding — Also called bruxism, some people grind their teeth because of frustration, as a side effect of some misaligned upper and lower teeth, alcohol, or merely unknowingly when they sleep. Teeth grinding can strip teeth of their protective layer, or cause teeth to loosen, both of which cause tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) — TMJ is an umbrella term for several conditions affecting your ability to control your temporomandibular joint, which attaches the jaw to the skull. When your ability to control your jaw is limited, it can lead to a variety of symptoms including headaches, swelling on the side of the face, popping, difficulty opening the mouth, and pain when you chew.
- Gum disease — Gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis are the result of tartar building up where the gums meet the teeth, irritating the gums. If you don’t seek treatment for gum disease, the gums start to recede, which eliminates protective layer over your teeth and causes tooth pain. Gum disease can easily be prevented with healthy dental habits like brushing and flossing and regular cleanings and polishing.
- Oral cancer — If you just can’t seem to get away from your tooth pain, it’s possible that you are suffering from oral cancer. Cancer in the mouth can appear as bumps, hard-edged cracks, or discoloration. While it’s usually highly treatable, if it’s not caught early it could be life threatening.
- Cavities — A cavity is a permanently damaged area in the hard surface of the tooth that develops because of tooth decay. When that destruction occurs, it exposes the middle of the tooth, which is known as pulp. The pulp is made up of incredibly sensitive nerve endings, which cause tooth pain when exposed.
- Impacted wisdom teeth — Our mouths are meant to hold 28 teeth, not 32. When wisdom teeth do not grow in right because of this, they’re referred to as “impacted.” Based on research from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, roughly 90 percent of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth can push other teeth out of position position and allow food and bacteria to fester beneath teeth, causing infection, which causes pain in the teeth and jaw.
- Tooth extractions — If your dentist recently extracted one of your teeth, the teeth around the pulled tooth may be sore for one to several days after the procedure. This is not dangerous and the pain will pass, and it can be reduced with over-the-counter pain medications.
- Nerve damage — A condition called trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the 5th cranial nerve is damaged. While it mostly causes pain to the face, it can cause tooth pain when certain daily activities are performed.
- Damaged teeth — When teeth are broken or cracked it can also cause toothaches.
Tooth pain can also be caused by non-dental problems, such as if you frequently vomit, you rinse your mouth too often, or you suffered a blow to your mouth. While living a healthier life get rid of tooth pain, an appointment with a dentist is often needed to address the underlying issues.
When to See a Dentist in Kirkwood, MO for Tooth Pain Relief
There are various over-the-counter treatments or things you can do at home that can ease your toothaches and offer tooth pain relief. However, if tooth pain won’t go away and/or it’s debilitating you should always request a dental examination to make sure nothing else is wrong. If you break a tooth or one becomes loose, see a dentist promptly. If untreated, food and bacteria can hide in and around those teeth and cause issues for your gums, bone, and the nerves in your mouth.
It’s imperative to get dental care right away in Kirkwood, MO for tooth pain relief if:
- The tooth pain lasts longer than two days
- The tooth pain begins without warning and is unbearable
- You have other symptoms, such as a fever, pain elsewhere in your face, or pain when opening your mouth
- You’ve experienced tooth sensitivity for a while and it’s getting worse
- You have pain when biting down
Tooth pain is not something that should be ignored, as, if untreated, the root issue can spread to other parts of your mouth, head, and body. Often, the only cure is to seek professional tooth pain relief from an experienced Kirkwood, MO dentist.
How a Dentist in Kirkwood, MO Can Offer Tooth Pain Relief
Our teeth aren’t like other parts of our body that can heal on their own. Regrowth, reconstruction, and healing can only be accomplished in Kirkwood, MO by a dentist. When you first see your dentist, they’ll likely start with a series of questions. How long have you been experiencing tooth pain? What is your pain level? Is it one tooth or does the pain radiate to other parts of your mouth? What makes it better or worse?
After getting a brief history, they’ll check inside your mouth to find the root cause of the pain. Their recommendation for tooth pain relief will depend on what their diagnosis is. Cavities and other minor and common decay and be addressed with fillings or sealants. There are numerous of periodontal treatments available if the pain is the result of gingivitis or periodontitis. They may recommend dental bonds, crowns, or implants if teeth are chipped, cracked, or broken. If the pain is related to nerve damage, your Kirkwood, MO dentist may want to do a root canal for tooth pain relief.
The underling issues can only be diagnosed in Kirkwood, MO by a licensed dentist. If you’ve tried everything else for tooth pain relief and your symptoms aren’t improving, request an appointment with a dentist today.
Kirkwood, MO Tooth Pain Relief | Plaza Dental Center
As always, prevention and care like proper dental habits and twice-yearly dental examinations is the best way to avoid tooth pain altogether. But if that didn’t work, or you’re now regretting that you didn’t take dental care more seriously, you can still find tooth pain relief. Our Kirkwood, MO dentists are particularly dedicated to helping patients who are uncomfortable in a dentist’s chair, as we believe meaningful tooth pain relief should be available to everyone in Kirkwood, MO. Call Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.